Consumer Product Safety Act; 15 U.S.C. 2063 (certification), 15 U.S.C. 2064(b) (reporting); 16 CFR Part 1110 (certificates), 16 CFR Part 1115 (substantial product hazard reports)

In force

Consumer Product Safety Act — General-Use (Non-Children's) Consumer Products

General-use consumer products need a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) only if a CPSC rule, ban or standard applies to them, and every business in the supply chain has an ongoing duty to report potential substantial product hazards to CPSC. There is no pre-market approval: CPSC does not approve products before sale.

Read the official text

Applies to

Consumer products that are not designed or intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger, manufactured in or imported into the United States. Certification obligations only attach where the product is subject to a consumer product safety rule or a similar rule, ban, standard or regulation under any statute CPSC enforces; the Section 15(b) reporting duty applies to consumer products generally.

Key obligations

01Where a general-use product is subject to a consumer product safety rule (or a similar rule, ban, standard or regulation under any other CPSC-enforced statute), the domestic manufacturer or importer must certify compliance in a written General Certificate of Conformity (GCC), based on a test of each product or a reasonable testing program. The GCC and supporting information must be in English.source
02Only the importer (for products made outside the US) or the domestic manufacturer (for US-made products) must certify (16 CFR 1110.7). The certificate must be available to CPSC as soon as an imported shipment is available for inspection, or before a domestic product enters commerce, and must accompany the shipment and be furnished to distributors and retailers.source
03Section 15(b) duty to report (15 U.S.C. 2064(b)): every manufacturer, distributor and retailer who obtains information reasonably supporting the conclusion that a product fails to comply with an applicable rule or standard, contains a defect which could create a substantial product hazard, or creates an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death must immediately inform the Commission.source
04"Immediately" means within 24 hours of obtaining reportable information (16 CFR 1115.14(e); CPSC: "A company must report to the Commission within 24 hours of obtaining reportable information"). A firm genuinely uncertain whether information is reportable may investigate, but the investigation should not exceed 10 working days unless a longer period is demonstrably reasonable. CPSC's advice is "when in doubt, report" — no injury needs to have occurred.source
05Cooperate with CPSC on corrective action where needed: filing a Section 15 report does not automatically mean a recall, but firms are expected to work with CPSC staff to evaluate the hazard and, where appropriate, develop and implement a corrective action plan (CAP), including via CPSC's Fast Track recall program.source
06There is no general pre-market approval: CPSC states it "does not provide pre-market approvals of products." Compliance responsibility sits with the manufacturer or importer, and CPSC enforces after products are on the market.source

Conformity routes

GCC based on testing or a reasonable testing programProduct is subject to a consumer product safety rule or similar CPSC rule/ban/standard. Third-party laboratory testing is NOT required for general-use products — the certifier may rely on its own test of each product or a reasonable testing program; the laboratory field on the GCC may state "N/A" unless third-party results were actually the basis.source
No certificate where no rule appliesGCC obligations attach only to products subject to an applicable rule, ban, standard or regulation; products outside any CPSC rule need no certificate, though the Section 15(b) reporting duty and general recall cooperation still apply.source

Documentation

General Certificate of Conformity (GCC)Must contain 7 elements (16 CFR 1110.11): product identification; citation to each rule certified to; identity (name, full mailing address, phone) of the certifying manufacturer or importer; contact for the custodian of test records; date and place of manufacture; date(s) and place(s) of testing; identification of any third-party laboratory relied on. Hard copy or electronic form is acceptable; electronic certificates need a unique identifier and accessible URL.source
Records supporting certificationKeep test results/reasonable-testing-program records; CPSC suggests issuers maintain supporting test records for at least three years (note to 16 CFR 1110.11(d)). The certifying entity remains legally responsible for the accuracy and completeness of certificate information.source
Section 15(b) reportReport to CPSC within 24 hours of obtaining reportable information. If another responsible party has already adequately informed CPSC, a firm need not re-report, but documentation demonstrating that is recommended. 16 CFR Part 1115 sets out the substantial product hazard reporting framework.source
eFiled certificate data (imports, from 8 July 2026)Beginning July 8, 2026, importers of most regulated consumer products must electronically file (eFile) certificates of compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection via a Partner Government Agency Message Set.source

Key dates

2008-11-1816 CFR Part 1110 (Certificates of Compliance) issued (73 FR 68331).source
2026-07-08Importers of most regulated consumer products must begin eFiling certificates of compliance with CBP.source

Penalties

CPSC states that failure to fully and immediately report reportable safety information may lead to substantial civil or criminal penalties. Civil penalty maximum dollar amounts are inflation-adjusted — verify current figures with CPSC before citing them.sourceUnverified — check source

Further guidance

Frequently asked

Does CPSC approve my product before I can sell it?+

No. CPSC does not provide pre-market approvals of products. If a mandatory rule applies you must test (or run a reasonable testing program), certify with a GCC, and keep records — but you do not submit the product to CPSC for sign-off, and you must not claim a product is 'CPSC-approved'.

Do all general consumer products need a General Certificate of Conformity?+

No — only products subject to a consumer product safety rule or a similar CPSC rule, ban, standard or regulation (for example mattresses or special packaging). If no rule applies to your product, no certificate is required.

Do I need a third-party lab for a GCC?+

No. Unlike children's products, general-use products can be certified based on your own testing or a reasonable testing program. If you do rely on a third-party lab's results, you must identify that lab on the certificate.

How fast do I have to tell CPSC about a potential product hazard?+

Within 24 hours of obtaining information that reasonably supports the conclusion that your product is defective and could create a substantial hazard, creates an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, or fails to comply with a rule. A genuinely uncertain firm may investigate first, but normally for no more than 10 working days. This duty covers manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers.

If I file a Section 15 report, will my product definitely be recalled?+

No. CPSC staff evaluate the report with you; many reports result in no corrective action because staff conclude there is no substantial product hazard, and for non-compliances there are options short of recall, such as correcting labelling in future production.

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